|
|
joewein.de LLC
fighting spam and scams on the Internet
|
|
"419" Scam – Advance Fee / Fake Lottery Scam
The so-called "419" scam is a type of fraud dominated by criminals from Nigeria and other countries in Africa. Victims of the scam are promised a large amount of money, such as a lottery prize, inheritance, money sitting in some bank account, etc.
Victims never receive this non-existent fortune but are tricked into sending their money to the criminals, who remain anonymous. They hide their real identity and location by using fake names and fake postal addresses as well as communicating via anonymous free email accounts and mobile phones.
Keep in mind that scammers DO NOT use their real names when defrauding people.
The criminals either abuse names of real people or companies or invent names or addresses.
Any real people or companies mentioned below have NO CONNECTION to the scammers!
Read more about such scams here or in our 419 FAQ. Use the Scam-O-Matic to verify suspect emails.
Click here to report a problem with this page.
Some comments by the Scam-O-Matic about the following email:
- This email uses a separate reply address that is different from the sender address. Spammers use this to get replies even when the original spam sending accounts have been shut down. Also, sometimes the sender addresses are legitimate looking but fake and only the reply address is actually an email account controlled by the scammers.
- The following phrases in this message should put you on alert:
- "million dollars" (they want you to be blinded by the prospect of quick money, but the only money that ever changes hands in 419 scams is from you to the criminals)
- "barrister" (Barristers (lawyers) mentioned in 419 scams are always fake.)
- "c777woodruff@ymail.com" (this email address has been used in a known scam)
- This email message is a next of kin scam.
- Barristers (lawyers) mentioned in 419 scams are always fake.
Fraud email example:
From: "Colton Woodruff Esq." (may be fake)
Reply-To: <c7777woodruff@ymail.com>
Date: Mon, 28 Mar 2011 23:54:53 -0400
Subject: Reply Me Asap
Attention:
I am Barrister Colton W. Baker a legal practitioner based in London.
A deceased client of mine who is an oil worker in Sarawak Malaysia, died with his wife and entire family on a vacation to Phuket in Thailand. He and his entire family passed away as a result of plane crash.
Please log to this website for more about the accident.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/asia-pacific/6997381.stm
I am contacting you to help assist me in ensuring that the funds lodged by my client with a Financial Institution Abroad is claimed, the Financial Institution did not declare the funds unclaimed hence my reason for this contact to you. The Financial Institution has issued me a notice to contact the next of kin, or the funds will be confiscated.
I will also issue a letter of authorization to the Financial Institution, that will prove you are the present beneficiary of the Fixed-Income deposit valued at $18million dollars.
Do contact me at once to indicate your interest. I will need your details as follows
Names:
Address:
Occupation:
Phone numbers:
This will enable me re-profile your details on the $18million dollars as the new recipient.You earn 35% of the $18million as your commission that stands at $6.3million for acting as my associate. This will be executed under a legitimate arrangement that will protect you from any breach of the law. If this business proposition offends your moral values, do accept my apology. Looking forward working with you.
Contact me via: c777woodruff@ymail.com
Your swift response is anticipated.
Best Regards,
Colton W. Baker Esq.
|
Anti-fraud resources:
